I am paying my kids to get up and get ready in the morning

You may be one of those parents who is saying 
"Ummm...No they need to get up" 
or you may be the parent that gets up an extra hour early to start dragging people out of bed. 
Either way, I think I have tried every way I can to make life easy in the morning with no success yet. 
However I am hopeful that my new plan may change that!
First of all, these kids are not up late running around the neighborhood, watching tv or playing video games. 
They come home, work on their homework, take a break for dinner and bath, finish up any homework and then head to bed. 
Usually that is between 7:30 and 8:30pm. 
Then to fall asleep, 2 out of 3 require a melatonin sleep aid. 
But nighttime, full of its own stresses, is not too bad. 
It is the morning that is so very rough.
I have to start around 5:30am waking them up for two reasons:
 #1 we only have 1 bathroom, so with 4 of us that can get a little hectic 
 #2 they are in the before school day care program, so I need to drop them off and then I go to work. 
It is extremely hard for Hayden and Zev to get up and we have battled for years now. 
Once they get up they cannot focus and stay on the task of getting ready. 
So since I have tried everything with no success, I have decided to pay them!
That's right, pay my kids to get up and get ready. 
So the new plan is, every day that you are done before me you get a quarter. 
You could add $1.25 a week to your Saturday chore paycheck if you made it all week. 
HOWEVER, if you are not done before me, then you have to pay me a quarter!!! 
SO now your saying "Hmmm... that sounds good !" I know right!
We started yesterday, I paid out .50 and took in .25 then today the same. 
It is Christmas time and they are wanting money to buy gifts and things so this was a great time to start. 
I am extremely hopeful that this will work. 
Maybe your kids wont budge for a quarter but mine will, they have learned how fast quarters can add up and turn into dollars. 
They have a chart here where they can earn lots of quarters by doing laundry, washing dishes, bringing home an A or B on quizzes or tests, taking out the garbage etc.. 
Last week, Tavey earned $7.25, Hay got $5.50 while Zev raked in $3
I truly appreciate their help in keeping "our" house up and being responsible. 
If it doesnt work after 2 weeks that's just ok too. I will keep trying till it does.

In all work there is profit
 Proverbs 14:23

The plan for the night is... "Don't let the sun go down on your anger"

See that is where I always go wrong, making a plan. 
Making a plan isn't always a bad thing unless you live here with my children. 
You can make your plans all you want but as the saying goes "life happens!"
I have a test coming up in the morning and I have been studying for it for the past few weeks whenever I get a chance like, after they go to bed, while they are swimming, during a break at work etc. 
Tonight I wanted to take a practice test and my plan was to do that while they were in church. 
It seemed that we had some unfinished school work that had to come to church with us, so first we had to finish "their" work for the day. 
Once that was done my precious hour and a half of alone study time was down to a "Ok I have 20 minutes left now" 
I started to work on it but it seemed that they were losing all sense that God gave them. 
I couldn't concentrate, they were all over the place and it just kept getting worse. 
I got halfway done before we had to pick up the middle child from her class. 
Just then what was already a night that needed to end became a scene of "whose kids are those?" 
Needless to say I "voiced" my frustrations the entire way home and for 10 more minutes after we got here. 
I finally get everyone in bed, start cleaning up and getting laundry together when I was already feeling guilty with the "Kelly, you have 3 amazing children and your just stressed out feeling" but then I had to find THE NOTE. 
It was sitting here in my desk chair.

So I of course went to everyone and apologized for getting so upset. 

I told them that I loved them so much and appreciate who they are and how they make me feel!

I thank God for them and for his gentle reminders. 

I might mess up again tomorrow, but that's just ok because I have some great help!

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry Ephesians 4:26

We went DRUG FREE for Tropical Storm Lee

When things are going great and everything is working as it should it is hard to tell that Autism and some other things reside in my family. 
5 Years ago a pediatrician, behavior analyst, neurologist and neuropsychologist sat me down and said "You have a problem and you shouldn't ignore it or deny it any longer. Here are the statistics that show children in this condition that aren't getting the help and medication that they need and this is what they are doing". They discussed with me children who cannot cope in the world and instead find help in the wrong places. 
I was so against medicine and was just wanting to see if more time would help. 
My first thought like most people that run into us was "She can talk, she doesnt rock back and forth etc.." 
I would soon be more and more convinced that what I had was not a behavior problem but a real disorder.
 One that screamed when toilets flush, that thought playing with things meant lining them up in rows, that spoke in the "3rd" person for 2 years, ran when it felt blades of grass or sand touching its feet, one that barked at people, one that pulled its eyelashes, leg hairs and whole nails out etc etc... There were positive things as well. A memory that would shock people, musical talent, ever so caring and conscious of others in need or hurt, so UNworldly and many more. Some yet to be unlocked behind the chains that an autism spectrum disorder bind. 
Needless to say we did start adding medications to try and help more and more new issues that we seem to be having. We switched, went back, switched again, tweaked, and tweaked until we could get to where we are now which is not where we need to be but my feeling is that there are some things that man just cannot fix. 
And like I said most days we do the best we can, we still struggle a lot and hard as I try I find myself apologizing over a situation or feeling like I want to hide when deep down I just wish everyone would understand. 
So that brings me to weekends like this. Medicaid only approves medications in sets of 30 and never refills early and as you all know many months have more than 30 days. 
I try to never be out of medication on a school day because I would never want a teacher or other students to have a harder day than they would need to so I always "take one for the team" on a weekend day so that we don't run out. 
This weekend we went without everything for the last two days which will keep us in good shape for the month. I thought it was a great time to do it since we were having a tropical storm and all and were kinda shut in. 
And take one for the team I did!! 
I was trying to think of how to explain what it looked like this weekend and the best thing I could think of was a cat stuck in a box full of water with loud music coming out and 17 television sets on different channels.
I guess it was a good reminder of how she is battling inside and how much she still needs help. 
I guess a normal day for her is only 5 or 6 TV's on different channels. 
Some people may never understand or accept it and that is just ok, but if you seen us out of the house today because it got a little stir crazy in here or if you see us one day and wonder "what in the world is wrong with that kid or MOM?" that may just be a day that she and I need your prayers and understanding the most. 

Philippians 1:27 says:

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves 
in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (NASB


1 Peter 4 and 7 in the Message says:
Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

It's not itchy & I am not a worry-wart

Traded rash guards for uniforms this week and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!

Shoes that are 2 sizes to big so they don't touch him, hair cuts as soon as the hair starts tickling him, silky shirts that must go under all other shirts so it doesn't itch, socks without a single wrinkle in them, nothing touching his neck etc.. etc..no tags no where!!! This is what he is made of...And that's just ok with me! 

This past week Zev and Hay started a new school that requires wearing uniforms. I will say at first I was really worried about it. I mean there are mornings that we spend over an hour just getting him ready because things have to be just right or he is uncomfortable and fidgety. Not only that but his clothing issues can be a big distraction in school. If he has a wrinkle in his sock he will mess with it and mess with it until it is perfect even if it means missing a lesson being taught. So you can understand my initial worries about him having to wear a uniform and have it tucked in with a belt!! Well my worries led me to even call the new principal and explain my sons (qwerks) and seek help. Two different people told me not to worry about it and that they would join me in prayer over it. So you know what i did? Just that! I didn't worry about it anymore and laid it at the alter. I let God be in control, and once I did he went straight to work. First a teacher (the very one who would have been his teacher had he not switched schools) came to me with a bag full of brand new uniforms including soft polo embroidered shirts. She said she was so proud of him and wanted to get him these. Next his new teacher allowed him to wear his silky undershirts that kind of stick out of the sleeves. I had told him she would never go for that but she has.

 Lastly comes confirmation: Day one he says "My shirt didn't even itch me today" Day 4 "I like these clothes"

So I am a little proud of how quick I handed this over and the outcome we received

The bible says: Who of you by worrying can add one hour to his life?" Matthew 6 and 27

Even what seems like a little thing is important to him if it is important to you. Give him thanks even for the little things ok.

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5 and 20

So if you see me and wonder why I am not stressing out about the kids, a job, my car troubles etc.. It is because I don't wanna! I don't want to worry anymore about anything. I am just gonna stay out of my fathers way and let him drive the bus

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4 and 8

The message says: You be about his business and he will be about yours!

We love you!

A 9 year old with a heavy heart, worry and pain~ Please intercede!!!

We all have some heavy burdens at times. Sometimes I question them or why someone else's is so much heavier than mine. Today my heart hurts for a 9 year old boy who is worried about his brother and sister staying alive.
He is an amazing kid, an awesome student, he loves his family so much. He has a wonderful mother and father and I mean wonderful! He has 3 siblings , two of which suffer from a terminal illness called Sanfillipo Syndrome Type A. And then he has another brother that his parents adopted (because like I said they are wonderful) The strong marriage that his parents have is what makes this family be able to conquer their daily struggles. We went to visit them this weekend and everyone had such a great time together but when its time to leave them it is very hard because of what you know. You just want to stay and love on them. So imagine never leaving and being with them all the time. If you are their older brother you worry alot. Below is a story he wrote last night after we left and emailed it to his mom at 2:30 in the morning: 

                                   The Wonders of God

The parents came home devastated the children confused but still comforting the parents offering medicine and help making dinner and clean the house it was midnight when the parents went to bed very sad and depressed the kids sad for them in the morning at exactly 6:00 the phone rang the kids were listening or trying at least to hear what was going on in 1 hour the oldest and only one who could read knew what was going on the kids rushed into room. 4e there in bed was there sick brother the only brother with sanfilippo but not the only sibling he was coughing and crying but still hugging his family his sister laela also affected by the life threatening disease was also sick but not quite as much as Ryan jalen the oldest of the children was upset and crying and praying for Ryan and laela and their lives alongside his little brother Justin who was very very sad and crying eventually the nurse came in and said "we will need to do surgery on both of them and if the surgery works out they will both live so do you agree with the surgery "and the parents Allison and Edwin nodded their heads vigorously their faces damp with tears by 4:00 that evening one surgery was done then at 8:00 Ryan came out of the room jumping and having fun with everyone but that was not the end of the streak of good luck the president of vivnt called and told them their story was so touching they decided to let them win instantly and 7 days later the family found 4,000 dollars in their backyard and with that money they bought confort items and toys for everyone and they had fun for months with the new things and the boss at the fathers work was feeling genorous so he let Edwin take the year off and the Baldomero family had fun for years

The End~ Jalen Baldomero

No one should have to worry like this and his dream is too see his brother and sister LIVE! 

You cannot even imagine the life they lead every day as they care for these two and they all do it with a smile on their face and hope in their eyes. 

Would you please keep Jalen along with his brother (Ryan) and sister (Laela) on your nonstop prayer list.

Ryan Baldomero ~8

Laela Baldomero ~4

Jalen Baldomero ~9 with his sister Laela ~4

The Baldomeros

Sanfilippo Syndrome

Sanfilippo syndrome is metabolism disorder passed down through families. It makes the body unable to properly break down long chains of sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans (formerly called mucopolysaccharides).
The syndrome belongs to a group of diseases called mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS).
Specifically, it is known as MPS III.

Sanfilippo syndrome occurs when the substances (enzymes) needed to break down the heparan sulfate sugar chain are missing or are defective.
There are four main types of Sanfilippo syndrome, also called MPS III. Which type a person has depends on which enzyme is affected.

• Sanfilippo type A is the most severe form. Persons with this type are missing or have an altered form of an enzyme called heparan N-sulfatase.
• Sanfilippo type B occurs when a person is missing or doesn't not produce enough alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase.
• Sanfilippo C occurs when a person is missing or doesn't not produce enough acetyl-CoAlpha-glucosaminide acetyltransferase.
• Sanfilippo D occurs when a person is missing or doesn't not produce enough N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase.
• The syndrome causes significant neurological symptoms, including severe retardation. IQs may be below 50. Most persons with Sanfilippo syndrome live into their teenage years. Some patients live longer, while others with severe forms as die at an earlier age. 
• Symptoms appear most severe in persons with type A Sanfilippo syndrome.
• There is no cure currently 

 Lord,

You know Jalen. You know the burden he carries. You also know his heart. Lord, we ask you to be with him now as you work in his life. 
Lord, we pray for Ryan and Laela just as your Word tells us to pray, for healing. 
Lord, I don't always understand your ways. I don't know why my friends have to suffer, but I trust you. I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward them. Nourish his spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort him with your presence. Amen

Psalm 41:3

The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

My friends are users!!!

When I think about some of the rough seasons I have been through in my life I look at how I was able to make it through these storms. It is the friends and family that God has strategically placed around me.
There are people in my life, people who use their love to be my covering.
They use what they know about me to encourage me.
They use their time to cheer for me.
They use the power of prayer to battle for me. 
They use the word family when they count me as a loved one. 
They use wisdom and know me from the inside. 
They use their heart to see my struggles and do not allow me to give up. 
They use their strength to lift me up when I am down. 
They know when I am winning, losing, hurting or need without my saying a word.
They have the capability to see me as beautiful even when I can not.
Small or large amounts of time may pass but there is no love loss
I try to be as much of a friend to everyone as these are so precious to me. 
Even the word friend just doesn't seem to be the word that describes them. Loved one is more like it!
Every bad mistake or choice in my life is blurry when I look at who God chose to surround me with during it.
And if these storms never end, thats just ok, because I have all of you!
You know who you are and I love you
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you ~Phil 1:3
Kel

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

If you say "I will pray for you" do you actually do it?

Have you ever told someone that you would pray for them but never did?
When someone is hurting, needing healing or is in a storm and you offer to pray for them then you are becoming part of an agreement, part of the way out for that person. 


The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:12:
 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

When someone is being overpowered that is when they need help. What if you were one of that cord of three.


I heard a song today while I was working by Josh Wilson called "I refuse" and although I have heard it a hundred times today I actually heard it for the first time . 
It talks about just this and waiting for others to do what you can do.
For me it seems right now that many of my friends are battling big battles. 
Children with terminal illnesses, upcoming surgeries and bad doctor reports, job needs, financial needs and more.
I am choosing to pray for all of them. 
When my kids go to bed and I have finished all my mother duties I will be in my quiet place going to battle for all who have asked me 
and some who I know need it but wont ask because they dont know they need it and that's just ok too. 
I might come out limping but If I have said that I will pray for you then count on me.


 Below are the lyrics from Josh Wilson's song "I Refuse"
I Refuse
Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not
This world needs God, but it's easier to stand and watch
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I Refuse


I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse

I can hear the least of these, crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet of You, oh God
So if You say move, it's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
And show them who You are

I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse

I refuse to stand and watch the weary and lost cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back and try and act like all is well
I refuse to stay unchanged, to wait another day to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse